Need some help figuring this out!

Hi guys, new 1st gen owner here.

Maybe its just me worrying, but the truck is doing something strange when I come to a stop. I will slow down to a stop light and right before I get to a complete stop something on the truck makes a noticeable 'shift' forward. Or when I do come to a complete stop then I feel something 'move'. It's sounds like a really dull clunk, but you can definitely feel something shift when in the cab.

I just greased the driveline for winter and rolled around under the truck checking bolts and anything that might be loose. I fear it may be the transmission, but I have no problems with it. Occasionally it will have some hard shifts usually 1st-2nd, but that isn't consistent.

I hope someone can understand what I am talking about as its very hard to describe. Please let me know of any checks I could perform to rule out potential problems.

 

It's not the brakes, is it? If your brakes are old, they tend to slip and jerk when coming to a stop. You just need to have them turned if that's the issue.

 

Something not tied down in the bed?

 

It could be, but the PO just had new ceramic pads installed and the brakes are excellent. Could it be that they are too good?

Nothing in the bed. Definitely feels like its the undercarriage.

 

Spare tire is secured tightly?

 

sounds like axle wrap to me.. are your leafs kinda worn out?

 

If they're new, they shouldn't be jerking. Just do a creep at like 5mph while holding in the brake a little and see if it jerks a little. If they're good, it might be this:

 

no need for worry. It is the world famous "axle wrap". We all pretty much have it. Your axle is rotating slightly forward upon stopping I think due to the load from the drivetrain, and then the load from the springs forces that rotation to release back to original position. I get it occasionally too, and always had it since new in 2001. If you allow more time to come to a stop easier, you can avoid the driveline loadup.
EDIT-tipicotaco is the first to say it (im a slow typer)

 

I think that's it. It definitely feels like it would be the axle rotating then setting back. I thought maybe something loose in the back end was causing it. I tend to allow more time to stop now just to try and avoid it, but it doesn't always work.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/108316-goodbye-axle-wrap-mod.html

Oh well. Leafs may be worn out but I'm not sure how to tell. I know that the rust around that area is getting bad and I need to replace a lot of stuff next year.

 

Thanks to all who responded to SeekingZero about axle wrap. My 2009, which is new to me makes the clunk occasionally. I was prepared to get it into the shop fearing something was wrong. You responders have eased my mind about something being wrong with the vehicle.

 

+1

Thanks guys!

 

Naw, like I said, mine did this since new and still does it sometimes after new springs. I think it's the angle of the driveshaft or something, not sure. Not at all exclusive to this make-lots of other makes out there have it. Google it and you'll see

 

Now, I'm curious. So, I know what axle wrap is, I think. When you gun it or stop, the drive shaft rotates the axle forwards or backwards. How is the axle allowed to move like that? Also, is it bad for the truck?

EDIT: I read this and got most of my answers:

But, is it harmful to the truck? I don't have axle wrap...I'm just curious

 

I never had a problem yet and it's done it a lot over 12 years. Nobody here far as I know ever reported an effect caused by it. So in normal driving situations, no biggie. I personally have only seen one youtube video where a guy in a Jeep was rock crawling, and wound it up so tight that when it snapped back, it threw the front driveshaft. So I supopose offroad, it can become more dramatic to the point of breaking something due to the sometimes ridiculous weight distributing and contorting. This all is IMO

 

Didn't I read something not long ago here on TW about a broken transmission mount being the cause of this? Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Well I went out to the local auto store and picked up some u-bolts and installed them. However I still seem to have the problem, but it's greatly reduced. I wonder if I installed them in the right location.

I put them in front of the axle about 2" away. Should they be installed behind the axle instead, and/or as close to the axle as possible?

 

Just another thought. I'm not sure with the 1st gens, but the 2nd gens sometimes have a 'bump clunk' feel that comes front the slip yoke. It gets a little dry and binds up when you stop and go. This happened with my 2011, almost from new. I haven't experienced it on my 13 yet. The problem is there is no way to lube it without taking the drive shaft apart.